Key Issue 1

Key Issue 2

Key Issue 3

What do you think about the shift to the common core standards? How big a role do you think the board of education should play in setting the curriculum for students and what ideas do you have for changes to the current curriculum?

A shift to common core standards is beneficial for schools. Throughout the U.S., the academic bar needs to be raised. Common core is a step forward. A Board of Education needs to understand, discuss and support this move. They should not be involved in the specific development of classes to meet this new standard. Academic professionals within a school are the correct individuals to modify programs. At Butler 53 the Board continually reviews and discusses our academic performance and drills down on the details of test scores, such as ISAT, to determine where improvement can be made.

How satisfied are you that your district is preparing students for the next stage in their lives, whether it be from elementary into high school or high school into college or full-time employment? What changes, if any, do you think need to be made?

Butler 53 is an outstanding school, as evidenced by its academic excellence, state ranking and preparation of students for high school. However, we recognize that constant academic enhancement is required if we are to continue to excel. Our recent appointment of a new superintendent to replace Dr. Martin who is retiring is an example. After completing a very careful search, we hired an individual who excells in curriculum, teaching and learning.

What budget issues will your district have to confront and what measures do you support to address them? If you believe cuts are necessary, what programs and expenses should be reduced or eliminated? On the income side, do you support any tax increases?

Butler D53 is very strong financially. Our goal is to maintain this strong position so that we can continue to properly invest in education.

As contract talks come up with various school employee groups, do you believe the district should ask for concessions from its employees, expect employee costs to stay about the same as they are now or provide increases in pay or benefits?

We believe in paying above market salaries for outstanding contribution. We align our review of compensation practices to other high performing schools. We need to be in a similar range to those achieving similar results.

If your district had a superintendent or other administrator nearing retirement, would you support a substantial increase in his or her pay to help boost pension benefits? Why or why not?

No. The pension system is broken. Actions to grant artifically high end-of career increases to boost pensions must stop or all of the deserving employees depending on these benefits will suffer. With that said, schools must negotiate these past practices out from their collective bargaining agreements.